Franciscan Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

In my last review, I shared the Franciscan Estate Napa Valley Chardonnay.  Tonight, I move on to their Cabernet Sauvignon.

The suggested retail price of this wine is slightly above our typical target, at $28.  But it’s a darn good wine and shopping around you may find it as low as $21 at some places, which makes it close enough.

Franciscan Estate has a history in Napa Valley going back to 1972.  Their approach to winemaking is to ferment the wine in small lots from the vineyard that aren’t blended until just before bottling.  Enabling the winemakers to work with the nuances of each lot’s unique characteristics.

This cabernet sauvignon has a few non-cabernet grapes blended in.  It’s 85% cabernet sauvignon, 11% merlot, 3% syrah and 1% malbec.

Vanilla and black cherry aromatics dominate the nose of this wine, although there is also some blackberry and cedar underneath those.  It’s powerful and well balanced.  The aromatics actually have a tactile quality that make it smell smooth.  And on the palate, it feels smooth too.  The balance and elegance makes this wine feel luxurious in the mouth.  The acidity is good and the tannins are firm.  It offers well concentrated flavors such as black cherry, plum and blackberry.  The fruit continues into the finish, but a black pepper note also comes to life there.  This is a very tasty cabernet and although it’s a couple bucks over $20, it’s still a great value.

Wine: Franciscan Estate
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 13.5%
Rating: 92
Price: $28.00
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.